Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has highlighted the expansion of aviation sector, saying investments in Ibom Air, the Victor Attah International Airport and aviation training are creating jobs and positioning the State as a regional aviation hub.
Governor Eno spoke at the official reception and water-cannon ceremony for the new Airbus A220-300 aircraft acquired for Ibom Air at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
He said the arrival of the aircraft marked another milestone in the expansion of Ibom Air, while stressing that the state’s aviation strategy goes beyond the acquisition of aircraft and development of infrastructure.
According to him, the administration is deliberately investing in the training of Akwa Ibom indigenes to ensure they become active participants in the aviation industry.
“We are proud to note that out of the 30 pilots currently working with Ibom Air, 14 of them are from this State and were trained by the government,” he said.
“Sixteen out of the 40 aircraft engineers are also from our State and were equally trained by our government.”
Governor Eno disclosed that 10 Akwa Ibom indigenes are currently undergoing training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, with another 10 cadet pilots undergoing training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, all under the sponsorship of the State government.
He said the investment in aviation was already having an economic impact on the state, with about 2,000 direct jobs created by Ibom Air and the wider aviation ecosystem.